MSD Ignitions for 390

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Dec 8, 2005 | 05:59 PM

workingdog

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MSD Ignitions for 390

I considered posting this in the Fuel Injection forum, but since I only care about answers that relate to FE's it seemed like I really should post it here.

Anybody got any opinions about the different levels of ignition systems that MSD offers and what they do for the car relative to a carb and relative to a conventional coil
- "Run Alone" Distributor
- Distributor and MSD 6
- Distributor and digitally computer editable MSD 7
- Fully digital system with crank sensor and cam sensor with "coil per plug"

Does having an individual coil per plug really make much difference? Will it run cleaner or get better mileage?

Peter

Dec 8, 2005 | 09:35 PM

Freakazoid!

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From: Pulaski, NY

Take a look at FAST fuel injection's website. It's OK for a website, and they don't describe everything, but they have just about anything you could want for any level of fuel injection - including coil on plug, for any motor.

Dec 15, 2005 | 04:19 AM

tomcasino

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From: Saint Paul, MN

I replaced the Duraspark ignition in my new 390. I have an MSD 6A controller, an MSD Pro-Billet Ford FE Distributor and an MSD Blaster SS coil. I had problems with the stock ignition so I went with MSD. It was simple to hook up and took a little time tuning but works great. It starts better in cold weather and runs well at all RPMs. Much better than stock and more power.

Dec 17, 2005 | 09:20 AM

workingdog

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Thanks Tom. Using that setup you used the mechanical weights in the dizzy for timing - right?

Dec 19, 2005 | 06:16 AM

tomcasino

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From: Saint Paul, MN

The springs are for advance curve, since there is no vacuum control on the distributor. I used the two light silver springs and the red bushing (advance stop). The initial timing is set at 12 degrees BTDC. With the red bushing (smallest) that gives me approximately 28 crankshaft degrees (centrifugal advance). So 12 degrees initial timing plus 28 crankshaft degrees is 38-40 degrees total. This is for a stock 390. You might have to try different spring combinations if you have performance parts on your engine.

Dec 19, 2005 | 09:30 AM

workingdog

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Thanks - that's what I thought. Did you ever consider going to the digital box and locking out the mechancial advance?

Peter

Dec 19, 2005 | 05:15 PM

tomcasino

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From: Saint Paul, MN

Not at this time. This is the basic set-up that MSD recommended for my application. For my stock 390, this ignition is light years ahead of the 30 plus years old Ford Duraspark. Lots of people still use the Duraspark but I was having trouble with mine. Some days it would run good and the next day it wouldn't start at all. Maybe in the future if I start to modify my engine I might upgrade to a digital box. For right now this set-up is working great.

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Dec 20, 2005 | 09:19 AM

workingdog

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Thanks for the input. I think I'm heading that way. I'll start looking on ebay for a cheap MSD 6 box. There are several boxes in the 6 series - anyone go any input on which works best?

Peter

Dec 21, 2005 | 12:07 AM

#10

Putt

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From: Colville, Washington

The 6A is the basic 6 series multiple spark box, the 6AL adds a soft touch rev control, the 6T has vibration mounts and a soft touch rev control hook up, the 6ALN has extra vibration protection, and the 6BTM has a boost timing master for ignition retard under boost(suoer or turbo-charging).
HTH

Dec 21, 2005 | 09:29 AM

#11

workingdog

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Thanks - that's exactly what I needed. The MSD sight is really tought to figure out what's what. How's the soft touch rev control work - is it a rev limiter?

Peter

Dec 21, 2005 | 05:17 PM

#12

Putt

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From: Colville, Washington

Yes, it is a rev limiter. It cuts out a different cylinder with each group of 8 pulses to prevent loading up fuel in the cylinders. Most limiters simply shut off the ignition and then refire when the RPM drops a certain amount, that can cause a VERY big bang from excess fuel in the cylinders. The Soft Touch will simply hold the RPM at the module's RPM(uses modules that plug in).

Dec 23, 2005 | 12:48 PM

#13

Randyb12

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From: Eureka, Ca.

I use the 6AL and a fixed curve timeing cpmputer with the stock DuraSpark dist that has had the mech advance locked out with a Holley phasing kit. I like the setup very much. The init. timing is set to 15 degrees and with the 20 degrees from the timing advance controller I have 35 degrees total.
My setup is:
396cid with Edel 750CFM CARB, RPM heads and RPM intake as well as RPM cam. TRW forged piston and 9.68:1 CR.

Dec 23, 2005 | 01:32 PM

#14

workingdog

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RandyB12,

You've a very similar set up to mine. You've going to have to explain your ignition set to me. What "fixed curve timing computer" are you using and how does a "Holley phasing kit" work?

Peter

Dec 23, 2005 | 01:42 PM

#15

workingdog

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OK, I found your web site and I figured out the "fixed curve timing computer" from MSD. Why stick with the Duraspark and not replace with an MSD distributor designed to work with the MSD 6?

Peter